To be honest didn't know they also did it in the MA, was referring to the Greco-Roman world where they were in the habit of drinking water mixed with wine. Wikipedia mentions bread dipped in wine for breakfast and there was also the drink called kykeon.Well, it depends on what you consider recent.
But archeologists have found evidence of fermentation as far back as 9000 years ago.
I think what Fakei was referring to was Middle ages stuff. In Europe, in the middle ages water was pretty much always contaminated. People would add a little wine to their water. the alcohol in the wine would kill the bacteria in the water.
